Blick Econo Etch Model II Press

Dick Blick's Econo Etch Model II is an excellent choice for the beginning printmaker or for the professional who needs an auxiliary press for demonstrations, art fairs, and workshops. The press is easy to work and is suitable for etching, collagraphy, paper plate lithography, unmounted linoleum block printing, and embossing. It's perfect for smaller prints and greeting cards.

The Blick Econo Etch Model II is a simple, direct-drive press. More effort is required to pull a print than in a geared press, but the small size of the press keeps the effort moderate. The bed plate of the Model II Press is 1¼" wider than that of the original Econo Etch press, and the new Model II features solid steel rollers. Total clearance without blanket is 0.95" (23 mm). Two gauges, micro and super micro, allow for precise leveling of the press rollers.

Well, I haven't yet used the product. But I am writing to comment on excellent and most efficient service provided by the Blick staff.They were very quick in their responses and the press got delivered very quickly as well. This for me is a great thing cause living in Gulf shipment of such items is customer's nightmares.But everything happened very smoothly and I got my press in A1 condition. Hoping to print very soon!!! THANK YOU

I am so impressed! It turned up on my doorstep in Australia one week after ordering. The printmaking techniques I use currently are linocuts, woodcuts, pronto plate lithography and monoprints. The press prints very clear, sharp prints.It came in a wooden crate in a few parts and was easy to construct.I would recommend the maximum size artwork be 23cm x35cm since you want to allow some space around your artwork for framing purposes.I bought way too many felts, just one pusher, cushion and catcher would have been sufficient.A great little press.

I've had the press for about two weeks, using it mainly for unmounted linoleum relief printing, but I have also had great success with monotypes, and with relief and intalgio on cedar boards.

The size and weight are enough to keep the press stable while in use, but not so much that it's imoveable or a workshop hog. The build seems really solid. No wiggly or clanky loose parts. The rolling action is smooth once you get the right pressure down, and the macro and micro scales for adjusting the levels are helpful.

The standard steel bedplate is a little short for me, but that can be easily fixed by making or purchasing a longer plate. I recommend using test sheets to get your first prints while you dial in the pressure.

This is an okay press if you really have no access to anything else. It's not consistent so will frustrate attempts to make anything you care about, but if it's being used with the idea that you just want to squish things together in a small format and have a lot of randomness, or for total experimentation, it's kind of fun...but still frustrating because the plate sticks and won't feed through, the blankets they send with it are way, way too thick (I use a vinyl sheet instead), and the little toggles on the adjustment handles are always in the way when you crank it.

Nevertheless, I have had a couple good moments with it. Each of which was accompanied by three irritating moments when it didn't work.

The price of this product compared to similar, competitive alternatives is:

Overpriced

Bottom LineNo, I would not recommend this to a friend

Merchant response: Our Econo Etch press is a direct-driven press which means it's pretty manual. To get it started you have to push on the bed plate until it engages. The blankets are universal for presses and will compress down as the plate passes through the rollers. Our Product Experts are happy to walk thru the process with you to see if we can offer any advice. Please feel welcome to contact us at 1-800-933-2542, or email us at info@dickblick.com.

As a professional printmaker and having owned very expensive, large floor model presses, I had great doubts this direct drive mini press could produce a high quality engraving, but it can. It requires screwing it to a heavy work bench, and some significant physical strength to 'pull a print' through it, but I have had no trouble with it. To my delight, it can print excellent professional quality prints. What a bargain! It will handle a 12x9" plate with no trouble. I have made multiple color plate mezzotints and couldn't be happier. When I need to add a larger format press it will be a larger Blick!

This press was easy to run a plastic plate. The dry point carried fine marks made with light sanding and varied dropping needle marks. I bought the extra blankets and it is very satisfying.

Some shipping concerns. The steel bed shipped separately from the press. The carton count was 4 cartons and not 3 as listed in the paperwork. Caused some concern about incomplete order. It was ok in end.

I bought the previous version of this press and used it for monotypes, demonstrations, etc. I tried printing some soft ground etching plates I had done in a workshop and got terrible results. So I ignored the press for years. I got it out again for monotype demos. And then I thought why not give it a try at etchings again. I tried some line etchings and was really surprised at how good the results were. Worked with some other artists and they got great results from their plates, too.

The difference? All I did was change the blankets. Instead of using the normal catcher, cushion and pusher combo, I used 3 thinner ones, 2 catchers and a pusher. Beautiful crisp lines that printed the same time after time. Why apologize? I had been calling the press a very bad name. Now I'm not doing that anymore!

Early trials of aquatint are going well. Soft ground is next.

I'm sure the newer version is even better. I got my press on sale and do not reget it one bit. The Econo Etch Press is providing me with a lot of enjoyment and expanding what I can do in my studio. And now when people ask me what press I have, I tell them the real name, not the very, very bad one I had been using!

So far I have used this press for monoprints, relief print and solar etching. It does a great job. Just what I was looking for! I have access to a large press at my art center, but wanted a small press to use for demos and classes, and experimenting with new techniques at home. Set up was easy, delivery was fast and customer service was great!